The Future of Transportation

High-Speed Intercity Rail. In 2009 President Obama identified 10 corridors for potential high-speed rail projects and providing seed funds to get the projects rolling. The thought was that the rail would provide an easy and attractive alternative to driving or flying, therefore reducing Americans’ dependence on cars. (Indeed, it has worked across France and Japan for more than 40 years.) But congressional opposition and in several states forced the plans to scale back soon after the initial venture. Two of the projects—one in California and one in the Northeast Corridor—are still under way.